Nottingham Forest

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Senior Football News Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

As Nottingham Forest wait for their profit and sustainability (PSR) appeal verdict they still have the issue of surviving in the Premier League.

Saturday's trip to relegated Sheffield United represents another chance to put distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Rows over refereeing decisions, VAR and their PSR appeal has taken the heat off poor results this year, which have left them a point above the relegation zone.

Just two wins in 15 has stopped Forest moving away and Nuno Espirito Santo has avoided serious criticism over results.

The performance in Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Manchester City was positive but Forest would take a scrappy victory at Bramall Lane.

Will Premier League survival go down to the last day?

On the latest episode of BBC Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, David Jackson and Colin Fray discuss the relegation fight and what Nottingham Forest need from the remaining three games.

They also catch up with forward Anthony Elanga, who speaks of the "positivity and good vibes" around the team, despite it "not being an easy" season.

Listen in full on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Senior Football News Reporter

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has spoken to the media before Saturday’s trip to Sheffield United.

Here are the headlines:

• On whether he has any update on their appeal against their four-point penalty for breaching profit and sustainability rules: "Not yet, unfortunately not yet. We’ve been dealing with this situation for a while, we have been expecting it to come sooner so we know exactly how many points we have. Do we have 30, 29, 28, 27? We need it as fast as possible."

• Nuno reiterated his point from last month over his issue with situation at the bottom of the league: "It’s a mess. They had time enough. It’s a mess. It’s very difficult not only for us but for the league. It’s very hard to be in this situation."

• On the audio of the three decisions which saw them have penalties turned down in the 2-0 defeat at Everton: "I still believe the three of them are [penalties]. The PGMOL clearly said the third one was a penalty but unfortunately they [the officials on the day] got it wrong. It’s happened before when the panel has decided and said it was the other way round. We cannot be bothered by that."

• He continued: "I always try to be respectful, I try to understand how hard the work of the referee is but this year it’s difficult. There are too many situations happening. I felt it was impossible to control the emotions and that’s why I’ve become so vocal."

• On responding to the Football Association asking for his observations following his comments after the Everton game: "I read it, I agreed and I signed it. We are still waiting. Hopefully I don’t get punished and I can be on the touchline."

• Nuno said he and the club felt vindicated in their concerns over the decisions "To a point, yes. It’s nice when you have someone, an expert, saying they [the referees] got it wrong and what you said and saw was right. It makes you feel more comfortable but it doesn’t give you back what happened."

• On needing their fate to be in their own hands after playing Sheffield United: "Looking at the table and the next matches, it’s going to be until the end - it’s not going to be solved (at the weekend). We depend on ourselves and after Sheffield United, it must still be in our hands so, for that, we must win."

• Willy Boly is fit but Neco Williams remains a doubt after suffering a hamstring injury against Manchester City. Striker Taiwo Awoniyi is also back in training: "Taiwo started with the group today - let's see if he's feeling positive. I think he can help us."

Follow Thursday's Premier League news conferences

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

• This is Sheffield United's first home Premier League match against Nottingham Forest since October 1992 - a goalless draw at Bramall Lane. They are unbeaten in their past four top-flight home games against Forest since a 3-1 defeat in August 1967.

• Nottingham Forest are looking to complete their first league double over Sheffield United since the 2003-04 campaign when the sides were in the second tier.

• Sheffield United are just three goals away from becoming the second side in Premier League history to concede 100 goals in a single campaign after Swindon Town in 1993-94 (100 in 42 games). The Blades would be just the third team to do so in a top-flight season with a maximum of 20 teams, after Darwen in 1891-92 (112 in 26 games) and Leicester in 1908-09 (102 in 38 games).

• Nottingham Forest have won just one of their past 19 Premier League games against promoted sides and that was in the reverse fixture against Sheffield United this season. This will be the second time they have faced an opponent in their first match after being relegated from the Premier League (within the same season) when they beat QPR 3-0 in 1995-96.

• Sheffield United have conceded 51 goals in their 17 Premier League home games this season. In English top-flight history, only Aston Villa in 1935-36 have ever conceded more at home in a single campaign (56).

• Nine of Chris Wood's 12 Premier League goals this season have either put Nottingham Forest in the lead (four) or drawn them level (five).

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Senior Football News Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest are still waiting to discover if their appeal against a four-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules has been successful.

The appeal was held last Wednesday but, unlike the independent commission which heard Forest’s initial case, there is no seven-day time frame for it to be resolved.

Last year the Premier League brought in rules to fast-track PSR cases so breaches were handled within 12 weeks, with the punishment applied that season.

Forest were charged in January and were docked four points in March with the process falling within that time.

Before the new fast-track rules, Everton’s first case took around eight months, from when they were charged in March 2023 to having an initial 10-point penalty handed out in November last year.

The Toffees appealed and had it reduced to six while they are also appealing a second two-point deduction for a separate breach.

Forest had to appeal their punishment within seven days, with a committee needing to be assembled a week later before a date was set.

But while an outcome is expected soon there is not the same timeframe attached to an appeal decision apart from the backstop of 24 May, which is five days after the final games of the Premier League season, for all cases to be resolved.

Forest’s case will certainly be finalised before the end of the season.

Nuno Espirito Santo will be speaking to the media at 13:30 BST on Thursday.

Image source, Getty Images

Referees' chief Howard Webb says if Anthony Taylor had been recommended to see Ashley Young's challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi in Everton's win over Nottingham Forest again, he "probably would have come out with a different outcome".

Forest felt the video assistant referee (VAR) should have overturned three on-field decisions in their favour.

On Tuesday it was revealed the Key Match Incident Panel unanimously agreed Forest should have been given a penalty when Young brought down Hudson-Odoi in the 55th minute of their match at Goodison Park on 21 April.

Speaking on the Sky Sports' Mic'd Up programme, Webb said they "would have preferred an intervention for the referee to go to the screen to make a judgement for himself in this situation and probably would have come out with a different outcome if that would have happened".

However, the former referee felt the other two incidents "were really subjective calls".

On Young's tackle on Gio Reyna in the box, Webb said PGMOL have set "quite a high threshold" for intervention on incidents in the penalty area and that, in this case, there was "minimal contact".

In regards to Young's handball, Webb said VAR agreed with the on-field referee that the defender was attempting to close down a shot from a "short distance" and that his arms were in a "natural position".

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

There are some games that give you hope. Games where you do not feel like the fourth-worst team in the division. Games where the team gave their all and, although they came away with nothing, you gave one of the best sides in the world a run for their money.

Doing well, of course, does not give you points. And with three games to go, feeling good about ourselves is not enough.

But play as we did against Manchester City for the remaining three matches and we should be OK.

Quite why we have not reverted to a back three until now is a question, especially when we have been overrun in midfield on occasion.

However, it is evident what we have missed in Willy Boly. With that assuredness at the back, the experience he brought to the defence seemed to permeate through the ranks.

Ola Aina’s swashbuckling display up and down the left wing, in tandem with Callum Hudson-Odoi, meant the ongoing absence of Nuno Tavares is not of due concern.

However, it is the injury-ridden season of Taiwo Awoniyi that is perhaps the greatest loss.

Chris Wood may have had quite the purple patch, but without another proven striker available it is a heavy burden up front.

Could Awoniyi return before the end of the season and deliver the composure we need in front of goal? We can only hope.

Pat Riddell can be found at The Famous Club, external

Nick Mashiter
Senior football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The Key Match Incident Panel is independent and made up of three former players or coaches, one Premier League representative and one from the Professional Game Match Officials Board, the referees' body.

It reviews the big refereeing decisions from each Premier League round of fixtures and unanimously agreed Nottingham Forest should have been given a penalty when Everton's Ashley Young brought down Callum Hudson-Odoi in the 55th minute.

"Young inherits the risk by going to ground from the wrong side and Hudson-Odoi beats him to the ball. It is a foul," the panel wrote in its decisions, seen by BBC Sport.

"It was felt unanimously that a penalty should have been awarded and VAR should have intervened on the basis that Young doesn't make any contact on the ball and that there is evidence that his contact with Hudson-Odoi has the consequence of tripping the attacker."

They also voted 5-0 that VAR should have intervened.

The panel was split 3-2 over the on-pitch decision over whether Forest should have been awarded a spot-kick when the ball hit Young's arm in the 44th minute, but all agreed VAR was correct not to intervene.

They argued it was a subjective call but "the majority considered this a dynamic situation where the arm was in a justifiable position, and with no clear action to deliberately handle the ball. In addition the close proximity from which the ball was played by the attacker was taken into account".

They also agreed, in a 5-0 decision, that Young's 24th-minute challenge on Reyna did not warrant a penalty and that VAR was correct not to step in.

The panel wrote: "The ball isn't played, there is contact by the defender on the attacker but any contact is minimal and is exaggerated by the attacker, and falls below the high threshold for a penalty."

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League clubs have voted in favour of adopting an anchoring economic model, which will be linked to the earnings of the bottom club (tv and prize money).

The proposed system would operate like a spending cap.

The next stage is final analysis and drafting of rules, which will potentially be put to clubs at an AGM in June.

The model will be presented to clubs and - should clubs vote in favour then - it will replace the Profit and Sustainability Rules currently in place, from the 2025-26 season onwards.

Any new element of the financial system would come in shadow next season, to fully replace PSR in 2025-26.

“We will obviously wait to see further details of these specific proposals, but we have always been clear that we would oppose any measure that would place a ‘hard’ cap on player wages," said the PFA

“There is an established process in place to ensure that proposals like this, which would directly impact our members, have to be properly consulted on.”

Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United opposed the vote, with Chelsea abstaining.

We asked for your views on Sunday's match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.

Here are some of your answers:

Forest fans

Fosi: We played very well but we just didn't take our chances. It was just about our best performance for a long time. If we repeat this performance, we will stay up!

Mark: Nottingham Forest were certainly not overwhelmed by Manchester City. If only they could finish the chances they create. Well played Forest.

Fin: A very poor side that would struggle in the Championship. They tried to buy success and bought very poorly. They broke up a good side who got them promotion in the first place and sacked an excellent manager in Steve Cooper. Now they are going downhill fast, while blaming everyone else.

City fans

Usama: We weren’t at our best, that's for sure, but the belief with this group is apparent for all to see. The confidence and trust they have in one another helps us to see out games like this one. These are the sorts of attributes a team needs to win titles after titles, just like City have done in the past few years. We go again next Saturday.

Natalie: What a sloppy game from City. Being clinical in front of goal is a must, which Forest will be disappointed about. I think Pep will be having some strong words before the next game. That being said, job done and there are just four more games to go! Come on City.

Scott: A really good 'get the job done' performance. At times, we were very sloppy with our passing game and Forest were exceptional with their use of pace on the counter-attack, making for an excellent game of football between two sides fighting for very different prizes. Four games still to play and we hold our fate in our own hands.

Rhiannon: A really good performance. Gvardiol was excellent, getting another goal for us. Hopefully we can keep this run of form up until the last game.

Image source, Getty Images

The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards says Nottingham Forest looked the best they have been all season and "caused all sorts of problems" for Manchester City.

"Nottingham Forest were really good for an hour," said Edwards on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily Podcast. "It was as well as I had seen them play this season.

"They caused Manchester City all sorts of problems. Chris Wood had so many chances, to the point he will be having nightmares about the shocking first miss.

"They piled the pressure on City but then they brought on Erling Haaland and he had one chance and takes it clinically."

Queens Park Rangers captain Asmir Begovic added: "You do not get many chances against Manchester City so when you do not take them it is inevitable you will get punished."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

With Everton and Brentford sealing their Premier League survival, only three teams are left in the fight against relegation this season - Nottingham Forest, Luton Town and Burnley - with just two points separating the three teams at the bottom of the table.

Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown has been discussing the survival race on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily Sports Report: "Well, my former team Sheffield United didn't have enough.

"Then you have Burnley, they are not going away and they are keeping up that fight.

"Luton have surprised everybody so much this season, but they are now falling away with some poor results. They had some good home games that you would have expected them to get some results in, given the way they have gone about things this season.

"Nottingham Forest are under that pressure as well.

"So, who is going to do it? I think Forest are the favourites at this moment in time, but what an end to the season it is going to be at the bottom of the league."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's three Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, you can catch up on the best of the action on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch highlights of Saturday' seven games on Match of the Day here

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full:

• Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal

• Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man City

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the defeat: "I think we played a good game, definitely. Organised and compact, but some aspects that we did not do so well.

"A lot of offensive situations we could have done better with - it is not easy to create so many of those situations against City at the same time that they control [the game].

"I'm disappointed with the result, but it was a good performance."

On changing to a back five: "It is easy to explain. We wanted to add an extra body in the box and make the most of Willy Boly, who is important for us. Then we wanted to try to play the counter-attack. It is clear for everyone what the plan was."

On Willy Boly's return: "He struggled at times, especially in the last moments of the game. Also, Murillo was struggling. Let's see how they are for the next one. It is important that they recover well."

On if taking chances was the difference today: "Yes, that is one aspect of it. Also, when City go ahead it is very difficult because they keep the ball and don't give you many chances.

"But the boys worked hard - very, very hard. I am proud."

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

After a week of drama, controversy and attention off the pitch, it was time for Nottingham Forest to do some talking on it.

While they still remain just one point above the drop zone, this was an encouraging performance from Nuno Espirito Santo's side with plenty of chances created against a title-chasing side.

Chris Wood missed several excellent chances - nodding a header over the bar and struggling to sort his feet out for two simple tap-ins - while Neco Williams was a threat before having to come off with an apparent muscle injury.

There will be no statement against the officials issued after this one, but perhaps they have a delivered a statement of intent on the field having won just two of their last 15 games.

Games against Sheffield United, Chelsea, and what could prove to be a decisive fixture against Burnley on the last day of the season will determine Forest's future in the Premier League.

Based on this performance against the defending champions, they can take confidence. But they must not rely on anyone but themselves for survival.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle United winger Chris Waddle has been discussing Nottingham Forest's chances of Premier League survival on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Manchester City dominated possession, as expected.

"Nottingham Forest had their moments and, for an hour, were in the game.

"City were not at their best. They were maybe a little bit leggy, having played against Brighton the other day, but if Forest put in this kind of performance again - I think they will be safe."

BBC Radio 5 Live commentator John Murray added: "With the chances that Nottingham Forest have missed, they only have themselves to blame."

Here are the key facts and figures following Sunday’s game between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City in the Premier League.

• Manchester City have won eight of their last nine Premier League away games (D1) and have now won more games on their travels this season in the competition (12) than they managed in the whole of last season (11).

• After winning two of their first three Premier League games under Nuno Espirito Santo (L1), Nottingham Forest have since won just two of their past 15 games in the competition (D4 L9). The Reds have now suffered more league defeats this season (19) than in the whole of last season (18).

• Nottingham Forest have conceded 23 Premier League goals from set pieces, excluding penalties, this season. In the competition's history, only Fulham in 2013-14 (28), Tottenham in 2007-08 (26) and West Brom in 2010-11 (24) have ever shipped more set piece goals in a single campaign.

• Since the start of last season, Kevin De Bruyne has assisted Erling Haaland 11 times in the Premier League, which is at least three more than any other player has assisted a single teammate in this time.

• After not scoring in any of his first 32 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions, Josko Gvardiol has since scored three goals in his past five appearances for the club.

• Pep Guardiola oversaw his 300th Premier League game in charge of Manchester City, making him only the fifth manager to take charge of that many games with a single club in the competition, after Arsene Wenger (828 with Arsenal), Alex Ferguson (810 with Manchester United), David Moyes (427 with Everton) and Jurgen Klopp (331 with Liverpool).

Erling Haaland marked his return with a goal as Manchester City kept up the pressure on leaders Arsenal with victory over Nottingham Forest.

The Norwegian striker missed two games through injury but came off the bench in the 62nd minute at the City Ground.

He slotted into the left corner nine minutes later to wrap up the points and keep City a point behind Arsenal, the Premier League front-runners.

City went ahead 32 minutes in as Josko Gvardiol scored with a powerful near-post header from Kevin de Bruyne's in-swinging corner.

That came while Forest's Neco Williams was off the pitch receiving treatment for an injury, which he subsequently had to go off for.

Pep Guardiola's City have a game in hand over Arsenal, but may still need to win all of their games between now and the end of the season to secure a record fourth consecutive Premier League title.

This was a far from comfortable afternoon for the visitors as Forest disrupted their flow and created a number of good opportunities.

Based on this performance, it is hard to believe Nuno Espirito Santo's side are in a relegation fight, but they remain just one point above the drop zone.

After a tumultuous time off the pitch, in which they have criticised refereeing standards, this was a determined display from Forest, but they ultimately paid the price for missed chances.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Forest fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, City fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Three matches make up Sunday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

Follow live text updates here

Listen to all three games on BBC Sounds:

• Bournemouth v Brighton - from 14:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Tottenham v Arsenal - from 14:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Manchester City - from 16:30 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live